Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Ice Climbing




I recently traveled to Ouray, Colorado to do some ice climbing. I timed the trip to coincide with the Ice Festival. The weather was good for climbing, cold and clear. I attended some slide shows given by some of the best mountaineers in the world in the evening at the old down town theatre in Ouray. Soaking in the hot springs is always welcome at night. While there I didn't feel special and I even felt like an amateur seeing some great climbing. But back here in St. George things are different. Not many ice climbers here or even mountaineers. Here I am a bit more unique, but not in Ouray that weekend. It is always good to get back down in the warm sun of the desert too. I would enjoy ice climbing even more if it wasn't so darn cold doing it! What I like about climbing ice is developing the skills I can use high on a mountain when the terrain is steep and covered in snow and ice. It is really cool to ascend a curtain of icicles or a pillar of ice. It is hard to explain but the more I do it, the more I seek it out. Having good gear really helps too.

Sunday, January 03, 2010

Marty and his companion, Elder Tanzie
Siena & Sheri
Grandpa & Cara

Christmas 2009


December 2009 has come and gone. We had the usual activities and get-togethers. Christmas morning was a lot more subdued than in years past. Marty is on his mission and Eric is now essentially a teenager and the grandkids were in SLC, therefore, it was rather quiet. We did have evenings of livelihood when the Larsen party came to town and when Sheri and Pete arrived with Siena and Cara. Of course, the ED was it's usual chaos of the holiday season. My shifts at the hospital are long, difficult and stressful. I look forward to January and the passing of the Holiday season as far as the hospital goes. By choosing emergency medicine as my specialty, I have doomed myself to loathing the holiday season. Someday, when I retire I may again look forward to the end of the year and all of the celebrations. My days off spent climbing, biking, and snowboarding help to maintain my sanity. Sunny days in Southern Utah help as well. I am well blessed and should focus on the positives in my life. Having Siena and Cara with us again is a joy. As they grow I hope to be a big part in their lives and look forward to introducing all of the many outdoor activities that I love.